The health, safety and welfare of all our saints and visitors is the number one priority for TVAM. We have always been an exceptional family, where love and care are freely exhibited; we ask that during this difficult time that we continue to respect and support each other. 

​

We want to reassure you that we wish to follow the advice from the World Health Organisation, NHS England and the UK government very carefully.  Current advice from NHS England is that the risk to individuals has been raised to high in the UK (16th March).

Please take the time to read the below important information and share with your others.

​

Information about the virus

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in January 2020.

The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 to 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, they have not been infected.

Signs and symptoms of COVID-19

​

The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:

• cough

• difficulty in breathing

• fever
   

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

​

How is COVID-19 spread?

From what we know about other coronaviruses, spread of COVID-19 is most likely to happen when there is close contact (within 2 metres or less) with an infected person. It is likely that the risk increases the longer someone has close contact with an infected person.

Respiratory secretions produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes containing the virus are most likely to be the main means of transmission.

​

There are 2 main routes by which people can spread COVID-19:

• Infection can be spread to people who are nearby (within 2 metres) or possibly could be inhaled into the lungs.

• it is also possible that someone may become infected by touching a surface, object or the hand of an infected person that has been contaminated with respiratory secretions and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes (such as touching door knob or shaking hands then touching own face)

​

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Washing your hands often - with soap and water or use alcohol sanitizer if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport

• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin immediately

• People who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work or any education or childcare setting

• Individuals should wash their hands with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds:

  • before leaving home

  • on arrival at church

  • after using the toilet

  • after breaks and sporting activities

  • before food preparation

  • before eating any food, including snacks

  • before leaving church 

  • after arriving home from a public place

• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands